Radiographic evaluation of different techniques for ridge preservation after tooth extraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective To evaluate the radiographic changes of the alveolar ridge following application of different ridge preservation techniques 6 months after tooth extraction. Materials and Methods Four treatment modalities were randomly assigned in 40 patients: β‐tricalcium‐phosphate‐particles with polylactid coating (β‐ TCP ), demineralized bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen covered with a collagen matrix ( DBBM ‐C/ CM ), DBBM ‐C covered with an autogenous soft‐tissue graft ( DBBM ‐C/ PG ) and spontaneous healing (control). Cone‐beam computed tomography scans were performed after treatment and 6 months later. Results After 6 months, the vertical changes ranged between −0.6 mm (−10.2%) for control and a gain of 0.3 mm (5.6%) for DBBM ‐C/ PG on the lingual side, and between −2.0 mm (−20.9%) for β‐ TCP and a gain of 1.2 mm (8.1%) for DBBM ‐C/ PG on the buccal side. The most accentuated ridge width changes were recorded 1 mm below the crest: −3.3 mm (−43.3%, C), −6.1 mm (−77.5%, β‐ TCP ), −1.2 mm (−17.4%, DBBM ‐C/ CM ) and −1.4 mm (−18.1%, DBBM ‐C/ PG ). At all three levels, DBBM ‐C with either CM or PG was not significantly differing ( p  > 0.05), while most other differences between the groups reached statistical significance ( p  < 0.05). Conclusions Application of DBBM ‐C, covered with CM or PG , resulted in less vertical and horizontal changes of the alveolar ridge as compared with controls 6 months after extraction.